Historic Step for Mithila: Amit Shah and Nitish Kumar to Lay Foundation of Maa Janaki Temple at Punaura Dham

On August 8, 2025, the sacred land of Punaura Dham in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district will witness a momentous occasion. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will jointly lay the foundation stone for a grand temple at Sita Prakatya Sthal, the revered birthplace of Goddess Sita. This ceremony is not just a construction milestone—it marks the revival of a site deeply woven into the cultural and spiritual fabric of Mithila.

The three-day celebration will draw thousands of devotees, saints, and political leaders. The event will be infused with devotion and symbolism, as invitations are being sent with sacred yellow rice (Akshat) and Tulsi leaves, blessings believed to carry auspiciousness into every household. The Bhoomi Pujan rituals will use water brought from eleven sacred rivers, including the Ganga, Yamuna, Mandakini, Saraswati, and Saryu, uniting India’s holy geography in a single act of consecration. In the evening, the temple complex and the nearby Sitakund will glow with 51,000 oil lamps during a grand Deepotsav, with devotees encouraged to light their own lamps to join the collective illumination.

Image from OpIndia

Vision for a Grand Pilgrimage Destination

The foundation-laying is part of a much larger vision to transform Punaura Dham into a world-class pilgrimage site. On July 1, 2025, the Bihar Cabinet approved an ambitious ₹882.87 crore redevelopment plan. Of this, ₹137 crore is dedicated to the construction of the temple itself, ₹728 crore to developing tourism infrastructure, and ₹16.62 crore for long-term maintenance over the next decade.

The project will span approximately 67 acres, including 50 newly acquired acres, and will follow traditional Indian temple architecture. The temple will rise to a height of about 156 feet—just slightly shorter than the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya—and will be built using durable and elegant Makrana or Bansi Paharpur sandstone. Surrounding the main shrine, the complex will include landscaped gardens, meditation halls, museums, thematic gates, cafes, and large parking facilities, ensuring both spiritual ambiance and visitor convenience.

Architectural Excellence and Cultural Continuity

The temple’s design is being led by renowned architect Chandrakant Sompura, whose work on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has become a symbol of modern temple-building excellence. The architecture will reflect the rich traditions of Mithila while also matching the grandeur of other major pilgrimage centers in India. Dedicated spaces will celebrate Sita’s life and legacy, from her discovery in the furrowed earth by King Janaka to her reign as the Queen of Ayodhya.

The complex will also feature the Sita Kund, a water body associated with blessings of fertility, and landscaped zones dedicated to her sons, Luv and Kush. By combining religious sanctity with well-planned facilities, the site aims to offer an immersive spiritual and cultural experience to millions of visitors each year.

Governance and Long-Term Management

A dedicated trust, the Shree Janaki Janm Bhumi Punaura Dham Mandir Nyas Samiti, has been established to oversee the temple’s development, construction, and management. Chaired by the Chief Secretary of Bihar and comprising senior state officials and religious leaders, the trust ensures transparency, accountability, and adherence to the cultural ethos of the project. In July 2025, an ordinance was passed by the Bihar Assembly to give the trust statutory authority, thereby safeguarding its role in the decades to come.

Historical and Cultural Context

Punaura Dham’s significance is rooted in the Ramayana, where it is described as the place where King Janaka found infant Sita while ploughing the earth. Over centuries, this spot has been venerated by devotees from across India and Nepal, with nearby Janakpur in Nepal being another prominent Sita-related pilgrimage site. Despite its sacred history, Punaura Dham had long remained underdeveloped compared to Ayodhya. The current initiative promises to restore it to its rightful place among India’s foremost religious destinations.

Political and Social Significance

The timing of this ceremony carries political undertones, coming just months before the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for late 2025. However, beyond politics, the event is being framed as a unifying celebration of Mithila’s heritage. Leaders hope that the temple will not only attract pilgrims but also drive economic growth through tourism, hospitality, and local craftsmanship.

Conclusion: A New Dawn for Mithila’s Spiritual Heritage

The foundation-laying of the Maa Janaki Temple at Punaura Dham is more than a construction project—it is a restoration of faith, culture, and regional pride. For centuries, the story of Sita has inspired ideals of virtue, resilience, and devotion. With this grand initiative, Punaura Dham is set to become a luminous beacon of these values, drawing devotees from across the world. As lamps are lit on the evening of August 8, they will symbolize not just an offering to the goddess, but the rekindling of a legacy that will shine for generations.

(Sources: OpIndia, Times of India, Economic Times)